The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and rheumatoid arthritis of the knees, as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability meeting threshold requirements. Tinnitus was not incurred in military service. Diabetes mellitus, Type II, was not incurred or aggravated by active service.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the veteran had right ear hearing loss on enlistment and mild high frequency sensorineural hearing loss at separation, which developed slightly over time and is less likely than not secondary to acoustic trauma in service. The claim for rheumatoid arthritis of the knees was reopened as new evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim (diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis). Left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of evidence meeting threshold requirements. Tinnitus and diabetes mellitus were not incurred or aggravated by active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Right Ear Hearing Loss, Left Knee Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 21, 2007
- Citation
- 0736644
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 0736644.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on in-service noise exposure or other theories.
- Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease, and it is not etiologically related to a service-connected condition. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.
- Granted
The Veteran's left total knee replacement with left knee arthritis and scar, status post left knee arthroscopy, are granted a disability rating of 60 percent effective February 28, 2025.
- Denied
The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability was not incurred in service and is less likely than not caused by noise exposure during his military service.
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